Dierenpark Emmen– Visit Emmen’s Largest Zoo

Dierenpark Emmen is a large zoo located in the town of Emmen in the Drenthe province of the Netherlands. The zoo first opened its doors in 1935 with the help of director William SJ Oosting. In the years that followed, the zoo continued to expand and became a great success after the war. It quickly became the biggest tourist attraction in the north.

Sadly, half the zoo was returned to the city of Emmen in 1970 after battling economic hardships. It was during this time that the zoo took a completely different turn and focused more on education. Rather than housing animals according to species, the animals were grouped according to the continent they were from.

Today, the zoo is still one of the largest attractions in the north and all of the Netherlands. In 2012, the zoo held the first ever Dutch Time Trial Championships where cyclists rode alongside giraffe, zebras, hippos and rhinos. Plans for a zoo expansion are now in the works and are expected to be completed in 2015. It will feature a new 10 hectares City plaza along with a 22 hectares expansion and a large theater consisting of 40,000 square metres.

Dierenpark Emmen Animals

The Dierenpark Emmen zoo is home to many different types of animals. Throughout your journey, you will encounter deep sea animals, fierce carnivores and playful monkeys. Some of the most popular animals include:

Rhinos

Lions

Kangaroos

Glasses Bears

Hippos

Lemurs

Elephants

Giraffes

Lemon Sharks and more!

Visitor Information

The zoo opens daily at 10AM, but closing times will vary according to season. Be sure to check out the zoo’s website for the latest information on closing times. There are five restaurants located throughout the zoo as well as a zoo shop where visitors can purchase souvenirs to bring home.

Purchasing a day ticket for the zoo will also grant you access to Expedition Yucatan.

Children under 2 are free

Children between 3 and 9 years: € 19

Guests between 10 and 64 years: €21,50

Guests over 65 or with disabilities: €19,50

Zoo visitors can also choose to purchase tickets for just Expedition Yucatan. Here, kids can climb, sail and slide through tree houses, pyramids, pueblos and even a big ship wreck. This space is ideal for zoo visitors between the ages of 5 and 12.Expedition Yucatan is a covered play area located near the Restaurant Patio, which serves up Mayan cuisine and fresh coffee.